Edmonds Sports Academy announced Monday that it has acquired the addition of the Edmonds-based Holy Rosary Parish gymnasium for its community sports training and activities for local youth and adults.

“I am so excited about this opportunity,” said Michael Burdett, Academy founder and director. “It is the goal of the Academy to bring our communities together through the Power of Play. Having this additional facility will really enable us to do just that. ”

Now completing its first year of operation, the non-profit Edmonds Sports Academy has involved nearly 400 youth and adult participants in a variety of events, including a Christmas basketball tournament that drew over 2,000 people into the area, Burdett said. Plans for summer includes basketball camps, teams and tournaments, as well as expanding into other sports, he added. The addition of Holy Rosary also solves an urgent problem for the Academy, which has been running out of gym space as interest continues to grow.

Burdett noted that he has special ties with Holy Rosary as he attended the school and his children currently go there. In addition, his parents have been parishioners since the church’s inception. “Father (Kenneth) Haydock has always been very community oriented,” Burdett said. “When the new playground and soccer field was completed, he invited the local neighborhood to enjoy as well. With the addition of the new parish offices and meeting center, he has included the local citizens to participate in the opening and viewing. Now Father continues giving back to the community by providing a great venue for so many of our area youth. I am very thankful.”

Additional information is available at www.edmondssportsacademy.com